Destinations ***

1. Upala ( 3 nights ) Heliconias Lodge
2. Abangares ( 3 nights ) Encenada Lodge
3. Carara Nt. Park (3 nights) Hotel en Jaco
4. Cerro de la Muerte ( 3 nights ) Mirador de Quetzales Lodge

Daily Activities.

Day 1. February 8. Arrival to Costa Rica. Greeting and Information Meeting.

Day 2. February 9. Upala, Heliconias Lodge.
Meet on the most well keep secrets on the Northern Costa Rica, unlike most of the hotels in the area, this lodge is design for true nature lover and birders that enjoy quality of birding. Here is where the dry forest of the Pacific meets the Rainforest of the Caribbean Slope. A unique situation within the country in which species such as Long tailed Manakin and Tody Motmot are the found. And a great array of antbirds as Ocellated Antbird, Spotted Antbird and maybe even a Rufous vented ground Cuckoo. Please check list on trips at: www.birdsofcostarica.org the official site of our Ass. of Ornithology.

Day 3. February 10. Upala, Heliconias Lodge.
All day at hotel grounds. All meals included.

Day 4. February 11. Upala, Heliconias Lodge.
All day to hotel grounds and near by areas.

Day 5. February 12. Abangares, Encenada Lodge.
Drive to the driest parts of the Pacific in search of waders, herons and lots, lots more. Encenada has also been kept in low profile for massive tourism. Abangares are is has traditionally been pasture fields and Salinas on the cost line. Therefore to find a great number of shorebirds, waders, long legged birds are common, it is a great destination to migratory birds, but on the other hand the semi forest areas and open fields can hold a enormous bird life such as: Bobwhites, Owls, Falcons, Parrots and alike and maybe a Three wattled Bellbird, as in our last trip.

Day 6. February 13. Abangares, Encenada Lodge.
Pretty much the same by his time we would birdwatch on the forest first, rather that open spaces, it is always important to visit the same areas at least twines, we will never know what is out there until sighted.

Day 7. February 14. Central Pacific, Hotel Punta Leona.
Staring by an early hike into the forest bordering a pristine river and continue back into the lodge for breakfast, depart by 10:00 am to the Central Pacific, situated in a perfect combination with sandy beaches and huge primary forest. 437 species have been recorded in the area, from the pasture fields to the coast line and mangroves. After a quick stop for lunch our journey will continue to Tarcoles town and river to look for egret, heron, ibis, motmots, tanager, thick knees, 5 species of kingfihsers including American Pygmy Kingfisher, woodrails, mangrove specialties, etc...etc... Check in at the hotel and dinner at 7:30 pm.

Day 8. February 15. Central Pacific, Hotel Punta Leona.
A breakfast to go should do it! The day starts a Meandrica's Trail at Carara National Park, maybe the best birding in Costa Rica due the balance weather, the 5 micro ecosystems and the 4 forest strata. Many species occur here, but the real beauty of Carara's birding is the abundance of life, from common Black hooded Anchorite to Yellow billed Coating. A must to take hike for every birder visiting my country. Lunch in a near by restaurant, follow to a hike into the 150 ft canopy forest. Manakins, Wrens, Flycathcers, Antbirds and how knows maybe a Violaceous Quail Dove.

Day 9. February 16. Central Pacific, Hotel Punta Leona.
Explore open areas that has to offer a magnificent birding, breakfast and then visit Bijagual Road for King Vulture, Short tailed Hawk, Hook billed Kite, etc. Dinner on the area not included.

Day 10. February 17. Monteverde Cloud Forest. Hotel Belmar.
Early departure after breakfast to the Highlands of Tilaran Range. Stop along the way to search for birds and howler monkeys. We will spend under a couple of hours to find species not often located at Monteverde; then continue our birding journey to the lodge, as birders we know that nature is the one how decides the speed to go on but, approximated lunch time is our arrival. Our destination is world known for its Quetzals and Hummingbirds. Check in, lunch and hummers until 2-3 pm and explore hotel grounds for Chestnut headed Oropendula, Chlorophonias, etc.

Day 11. February 18. Monteverde Cloud Forest. Hotel Belmar.
In search of Jays, Owls and much more ... A hike to Santuario Ecologico in search for Long tailed Manakin, Bellbirds and soaring Kites. Moderated hike.

Day 12. February 19. Monteverde Cloud Forest. Hotel Belmar.
Enjoy your last day in paradise, early breakfast and activities base on flying times.

*** for this tour, the arrival flight most be at Liberia's Int. Airport